As an avid traveller, I’ve driven the length and breadth of the United Kingdom on numerous occasions in a number of electric vehicles. However, a recent trip to Belfast to visit family marked my first return to Northern Ireland’s capital since beginning work in the electric vehicle industry. It was the perfect opportunity to explore Belfast’s EV charging experience and compare it with that of London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh. Here’s what I found.
Belfast – The Electric Vehicles Experience
As someone with joint Irish citizenship and a strong sense of Irish heritage, I was really hoping that my ancestral home would make me proud. However, during my time in Belfast, it was clear that there were far fewer electric vehicles on the road compared to the South East of England. I spotted the occasional Hyundai Ioniq 5, a BMW, or a Mercedes, but nowhere near as many as I’m used to seeing. On a positive note, the city’s bus service is now fully electric, something the buses proudly, and rightly, advertise on their sides.
When it comes to charging infrastructure, EV drivers in Belfast have seen real progress in recent years, though there’s still work to be done. The city now hosts several public charging hubs, including the facility run by Weev at the Twin Spires Complex just off the Westlink motorway, offering two 50 kW DC chargers capable of topping up a vehicle from 20% to 80% in around 45 minutes. A major step forward came in March 2024, when IONITY launched Belfast’s largest ultra-rapid charging station at the Kennedy Centre in West Belfast, featuring 11 bays with 350 kW chargers.
This expansion gives local drivers greater confidence when travelling beyond short city journeys. Public networks such as Weev continue to grow, listing numerous sites across Belfast with both rapid and ultra-rapid chargers. However, Northern Ireland still lags behind the rest of the UK, a previous survey found the region had just 1.1 rapid chargers per 100,000 people. I suspect we’ll see far more EVs on Belfast’s roads once a more visible and reliable charging network is in place. It was nice, though, to see chargers in places such as at the Giant’s Causeway on the northern coast. There just needs to be more. A lot more.
Cardiff – A City Moving Forwards
Cardiff is a city I’ve visited many times and always look forward to returning to. Driving an EV here is becoming increasingly convenient as the city embraces sustainable transport. With its compact layout and growing charging network, Cardiff offers EV drivers both confidence and ease of travel.
The city has invested heavily in public charging, with rapid chargers at key locations such as St David’s Shopping Centre, Cardiff Bay, and car parks throughout the city centre. For those commuting or exploring further afield, additional chargers can be found along major routes like the A48 and M4 corridor.
Cardiff Council’s commitment to improving air quality has encouraged more residents to switch to electric. Many households can now access government grants for home charging, and workplace charging points are increasingly common. The benefits are clear, lower running costs, quieter journeys, and zero tailpipe emissions, ideal for navigating the capital’s busy streets or enjoying scenic drives along the Taff Trail and towards Penarth.
Cardiff is setting a strong example. With new public charging projects, dedicated EV bays, and incentives for greener travel, the city is well on its way to becoming a leading hub for sustainable driving in the UK.
Edinburgh – A City of Culture and Innovation
I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting Edinburgh once, but it’s a city I’d highly recommend. The culture and history are breathtaking, and the people couldn’t have been friendlier.
When it comes to EV convenience, Scotland’s capital has made impressive strides. Rapid and fast chargers are now found across the city, including at Fountainbridge, Ocean Terminal, and central car parks. For longer journeys, additional charge points are located along major routes such as the A90 towards Fife and the A1 to East Lothian.
Edinburgh City Council has been proactive in supporting the shift to electric transport, increasing public chargers and encouraging home and workplace installations. Drivers benefit from lower running costs, reduced emissions, and quieter travel, ideal for navigating the city’s cobbled streets, hilly terrain, and scenic routes towards the Pentlands or the coast.
As Scotland pushes towards its ambitious net-zero targets, Edinburgh is leading by example. The only real frustration I’ve experienced north of the border is with ChargePlace Scotland, which I hope has become more user-friendly and reliable since my last visit.
London – The Big City in the South East
London is the closest of these capitals to me, and by far the largest and most populous city in the UK. It’s no surprise that the vast majority of EV projects have taken place here.
London offers more public charge points than any other region in the UK, thanks to major investment from both public and private sectors. Thousands of on-street chargers are now installed across boroughs such as Westminster, Camden, and Hackney, many integrated into existing street furniture like lampposts, a convenient solution for residents without driveways. Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are also increasingly common at petrol forecourts and dedicated EV hubs, catering to those needing a quick top-up on the go.
Compared with the rest of the UK, London’s charging network is denser and more accessible. However, the city still faces challenges, high demand, limited parking, and varied access between neighbourhoods. Outside the capital, rural areas continue to lag behind due to lower population density and fewer commercial incentives. While London currently sets the standard for EV infrastructure, achieving consistent access nationwide will be crucial for a truly sustainable transition.
Summing It All Up
The United Kingdom has firmly embraced electrification on its roads, but there remains a noticeable disparity in infrastructure depending on where you travel across our sceptred isle. London continues to lead the way in charger availability, while Cardiff and Edinburgh are steadily catching up, each with exciting projects in the pipeline. It will be fascinating to see how they’ve progressed when I return next year.
Belfast, and Northern Ireland as a whole, is still lagging behind, but I’m optimistic this will change soon. Hopefully by the end of the decade, EV charge points and electric vehicles will be as common as an Ulster fry and a pint of Guinness. That, to me, would be great craic and absolutely dead on.
*All information correct as of 20 November 2025
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